Dulux Diamond Satinwood Review

My name is Joe Elwick, and I am the owner of a small painting and decorating business based in Greater Manchester. I offer a reliable, efficient, and professional service in all aspects of the trade.

I was kindly asked by AkzoNobel (Dulux) to try out their recently released Dulux Diamond Satinwood in a real-world situation and provide my honest review. Of course, I was happy to do so, as I’m a regular Dulux Trade customer anyway. In fact, I’ve used Dulux Diamond Satinwood on quite a few occasions now and feel I can give a fair and accurate insight into the product.

This is a fully water-based satinwood paint, available online by clicking here, or at any Dulux Decorating Centre in Brilliant White, as well as almost any tinted colour. Tin sizes are 1L, 2.5L, and 5L.

Using Dulux Diamond Satinwood

• Tough and durable
• Non-yellowing
• Suitable for high-traffic areas
• Stain- and grease-resistant
• Advanced water-based technology
• Quick drying times
• Low odour
• Typical Uses – Interior wood and metal
• Recommended Drying Time – Touch dry in 2 hours. Recoat time is 6 hours.

First Impressions

On opening the tin, the colour was a vibrant Brilliant White and looked fantastic. As I began to stir the paint, I realised the consistency was quite thick and gloopy — though I knew this could be due to the cold temperature I had stored the tin in. Like most water-based satinwood paints, it would likely need a little thinning to achieve the best results. With this in mind, I decided to first try it without thinning so I could fully understand the product and adjust accordingly after the first use.

Application

I applied the product over existing white oil-based gloss woodwork that had yellowed over time. I sanded back the woodwork using my Mirka Deros with sanding pads, ensuring the glossy surface was fully matted and exposing the whiter undercoat underneath. This is the same method I use for all water-based trim paints applied over old oil-based finishes.

Dulux recommends using their Quick Dry Undercoat over problem surfaces such as old oil-based gloss. However, I wanted to really push the limits of the Satinwood for the purposes of this review, and adhesion to old gloss is always a fantastic test for any water-based paint.

After damping down the surface, I proceeded to apply the Dulux Diamond Satinwood. Straight away it felt thick, gloopy, and generally difficult to apply with complete satisfaction. It was drying very quickly and pulling before I had the chance to properly spread it to the desired thickness. I was using my Proform Blaze angled brush.

I persevered and managed to apply my first coat. After about five minutes, I went back over my work and noticed a couple of sags, which I presumed were due to the thickness of the paint.

Not a massive issue on the first coat — you just need to keep an eye on the surfaces you’ve painted and knock out runs as they occur. One big positive that stood out was how solid the paint was once dry. It was noticeably better than many of the products I’d tried before, and it was touch dry in just 30 minutes.

Adjustments

• Store the product in a warmer environment.
• Thin with clean water or conditioner by up to 5% (the maximum recommended on the data sheet).

Conclusion

After making the adjustments above, the paint was noticeably thinner in consistency. Application became easier and smoother, and I had more open time to allow the product to flow properly. Longer brush strokes were both achievable and beneficial, as long as the paint was at the correct consistency and not overworked.

The Satinwood was touch dry in around 30 minutes, and I recoated after 4 hours, even though the instructions recommend 6. I can only presume that recoating earlier than recommended will just increase the overall curing time.

The sheen level for a satin is average in my opinion. It’s difficult to compare fairly without applying side by side with other water-based satinwoods in the same environment.

After curing, however, this product is one of the toughest water-based finishes I’ve used so far — if not the best. In fact, it was rock solid after 24 hours and passed a scratch test with flying colours, as you can see for yourself in the video below. Click here to see online prices.

Overall, I am very impressed with Dulux Diamond Satinwood when compared to similar products on the market. I would say it is one of the better performing products available over the counter for sure and is currently ‘my go’ to water-based satinwood.

I would definitely recommend this product as an alternative to an oil-based satinwood. It’s perfect if your client requires a hard wearing satin finish that will not yellow, low odour, low VOC, dries quickly and allows more than one coat in a day.

You can buy this product from any Dulux Decorating Centere and many other stockists. If you don’t qualify for a trade discount, then it may be cheaper to buy this product online. Click here to see online prices.

Summary

Best Tools to Use to Apply Dulux Diamond Satinwood

As with any water-based paint, the tools you use to apply Dulux Diamond Satinwood will make all the difference to the finish. So, I thought it would be useful to add a short section on the best tools for the job.

For larger areas, you’ll need a microfibre roller that can apply an even layer of paint without causing orange peel. Our recommendation is Two Fussy Blokes — it performs well in terms of application, and there’s no need to de-lint it before you start. Click here to see latest prices.

As for the brush, The Purdy Monarch Elite XL is perfect when applying any water-based satinwood. It keeps its shape whilst cutting in, but it’s soft enough to lay-off. It also has a nice thick stock, so it holds loads of paint. Click here to see current prices.

FAQs

Can you use Dulux Trade Diamond Satinwood outside?

Dulux Diamond Satinwood is acrylic-based, which means it’s too brittle to be used outside really. It’s likely to fail after a year or two. However, there are plenty of good exterior satinwood options available for exterior painting.

Can you use Dulux Diamond Satinwood on radiators?

You can use Dulux Diamond Satinwood on radiators. It will effect the efficiency of the radiator slightly, but that doesn’t stop people. Make sure you use a good adhesion primer first.

What roller is best for Dulux Diamond satinwood?

You can apply Dulux Diamond Satinwood with a mini roller. The two I recommend to people are Axus Décor Silk Touch and The Two Fussy Blokes. Either of these rollers will give you a fantastic finish and won’t shed.

How long does it take to recoat Dulux Diamond Satinwood?

You should wait at least 6 hours between coats of Dulux Trade Diamond Satinwood. Rushing the recoat time will result in your paint dragging and excessive surface tension.

Can you spray Dulux Diamond Satinwood?

You can spray Dulux Diamond Satinwood. However, the paint does tend to sag and run, so stick to spraying thin coats.